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“Vaute Couture not just because of the V, for vegan, but because Vaute (vote) is really what I think that’s what you do when you buy something… The workers, how much they’re being paid… the fabrics… are they innovating in a way that’s conscientious? That’s what you end up promoting – exactly what that company does.”
Meet Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart – creator of vegan fashion line, Vaute Couture.
Leanne Mai-Ly Hilgart from Sparrow Media on Vimeo.
Vaute Couture was created after Hilgart discovered that, yes, many other women have the same desire as she does for fashionable, Vegan coats and clothes. Eight months of “fabric research” produced a line of coats that is just about as swoon-worthy as it gets. You can tell just by listening to Hilgart talk that she is passionable about sustainability – both in environmental choices and production.
The Audrey Coat (available in white, black, and camel) $565
Wait, wait… I know you looked at the coat, fell in love with it, then burst into tears when you saw the price. Settle down, there’s a good reason for it – hence why Hilgart has an entire page on her site called Why My Coats Aren’t Cheap:
We know that clothes can be cheap cheap cheap when workers are paid outrageously low wages. But it swings both ways- when workers are paid more than a “fair” wage- a living wage, and production is local (higher cost of living) that makes the clothes more expensive too. But that’s just the tip of it.
Bomono Coat [Limited Edition] $145 (was $565)
I didn’t spend a year and a half (and counting) on no income just to make something cute to wear. I’m here to put respect for all into the business equation– an equation which typically consists of two factors 1. costs to cut and 2. profits to make. Similar to government subsidies on food creating falsely low prices, the snowballing cuts in ethics have created falsely low prices (and low quality fast fashion) that we (myself included) have grown used to (based on unfair wages and cutting corners). My background is not in fashion or design. I started this little project to create clothing options that are vegan and conscientious and weren’t available on the market- basically to create conscientious clothes I couldn’t find. In each detail I wanted to do it right.
Pea Coat in Luxe Grey (also available in ivory, black and blue) $185 (was $371)
Sorry, guys. Hilgart definitely proves they’re worth the cost. Providing seamstresses and workers a fair wage is something that’s losing footing in today’s fashion world – by paying them what their skills are worth, it does drive up the price… but it also raises the bar, and I for one admire Hilgart’s impactful foot-stomping in that arena.
The Upcycled Indigo Windbreaker $165
She dropped her modeling career and her MBA pursuit to start this line, and with all the attention she’s paying to the typically overlooked details (you know, fair trade, vegan fabrics, quality, etc…), this is one luxury line that I could definitely see myself saving up my nickels for.
See the rest of Vaute Couture’s coats and t-shirts at their website.